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Newstalk Radio for the Brazos ValleyTue, 31 Mar 2015 17:54:25 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1Bryan Council Agrees To Study Makeover of Martin Luther King, Jr. Streethttp://wtaw.com/2015/03/31/bryan-council-agrees-to-study-makeover-of-martin-luther-king-jr-street/
http://wtaw.com/2015/03/31/bryan-council-agrees-to-study-makeover-of-martin-luther-king-jr-street/#commentsTue, 31 Mar 2015 16:35:11 +0000http://wtaw.com/?p=94281This summer’s annual list of street work in Bryan was discussed at length during the last city council meeting.

While there was a unanimous vote that includes repaving Martin Luther King with asphalt, a handful of neighborhood residents and three councilmen want a concrete surface with curbs, gutters, and lighting similar to the downtown area.

]]>http://wtaw.com/2015/03/31/bryan-council-agrees-to-study-makeover-of-martin-luther-king-jr-street/feed/0Convicted Murderer Arrested in Deadly Cameron Shootinghttp://wtaw.com/2015/03/31/convicted-murderer-arrested-in-deadly-cameron-shooting/
http://wtaw.com/2015/03/31/convicted-murderer-arrested-in-deadly-cameron-shooting/#commentsTue, 31 Mar 2015 16:03:10 +0000http://wtaw.com/?p=94278CAMERON, Texas (AP) _ A Central Texas man who served time for a double slaying nearly 30 years ago has been charged in a triple shooting that claimed one life.

Milam (MY’-luhm) County jail records show Ricardo Munoz of Rockdale was being held Tuesday on charges of murder and parole violation.

Cameron police say Sunday’s gunfire left Francisco Avila dead. Another man and a boy have gunshot wounds not believed to be life-threatening.

The Eagle newspaper reports Munoz was convicted of two killings in Starr County in 1986, received 20-year terms and was paroled in 1997. He later served two years for unlawful possession of a firearm.

Jail records don’t list an attorney for Munoz. Bond was denied on the parole charge.

Starr County prosecutors on Tuesday have no immediate details on the 1986 case.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The lawyer of a Central Texas judge whose home was raided by federal authorities last week says his client is innocent.

Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed a search warrant Friday night at the home of Williamson County Court-At-Law Judge Tim Wright. An ATF spokeswoman has said the search is connected to possible federal firearms violations.

Wright hasn’t been arrested and no charges had been filed against him as of Monday afternoon.

Wright’s attorney, Jeff Senter, says federal authorities seized documents and “tangible things” from 70-year-old Wright’s home, but he wasn’t aware of specific items that were taken. He believes no firearms were seized.

Wright, who took office in 2003, declined to comment on the raid Monday to the Austin American-Statesman.

Original story:

GEORGETOWN, Texas (AP) _ Federal officers have raided the home of a veteran Central Texas judge in a firearms investigation, but no charges have been filed.

Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed a warrant at the home of Williamson County Court-at-Law Judge Tim Wright on Friday night.

ATF spokeswoman Nicole Strong said Saturday no one has been charged, and declined comment on what was seized. She says the search is connected to possible federal firearms violations.

Agents were seen leaving the Georgetown home with black carrying cases.

Wright, who was elected in 2002 and took office the following year, did not immediately return a message for comment Saturday.

A College Station policeman wants to more than double the bond keeping a Bryan man in jail. The officer, who responded to a woman’s home Saturday night and saw 32 year old Tomarkus Jackson hitting his ex-girlfriend, wrote a letter to local judges that last October Jackson also struck the woman and threatened to kill her while she was at work…and last month the officer caught him outside her home and he was issued a criminal trespass warning. In the latest incident, Jackson is accused of breaking down the front door to the woman’s apartment and forced his way into the bathroom where the victim and her girlfriend were hiding. According to the arrest report, the officer shot his Taser to get Jackson to stop hitting his ex. Then Jackson ran towards the policeman. Outside the front door Jackson tackled the officer into some bushes then he ran off. He was caught a short time later outside a nearby apartment complex.

One of two men involved in a road rage incident in College Station was arrested. 32 year old Robert Hernandez of Bryan posted bond on Saturday following his arrest from what happened last Thursday in a left turn lane at Texas and Harvey Mitchell. A third party witness told police the driver of a second vehicle pulled in front of Hernandez then started yelling obscenities at Hernandez. According to the arrest report, Hernandez got out of his truck and the other driver responded by pulling out a handgun. Hernandez returned to his truck, all three vehicles made the left turn, then the witness said Hernandez rammed the other driver with his two ton truck. Police caught up with the three vehicles on Harvey Mitchell near Rio Grande. The driver who pulled out his handgun was not arrested.
]]>http://wtaw.com/2015/03/31/cs-police-arrests-from-domestic-violence-and-road-rage-incidents/feed/0Atmos Energy to Flare Natural Gas in Rural Brazos Countyhttp://wtaw.com/2015/03/31/atmos-energy-to-flare-natural-gas-in-rural-brazos-county/
http://wtaw.com/2015/03/31/atmos-energy-to-flare-natural-gas-in-rural-brazos-county/#commentsTue, 31 Mar 2015 15:44:13 +0000http://wtaw.com/?p=94275Courtesy of Atmos Energy

BRYAN, TX (March 31, 2015) – Atmos Energy and its contractors will conduct a required inspection on a natural gas line extending from near Carlos in Grimes County to near College Station. The inspection process is scheduled to begin Wednesday, April 1, and last until Thursday, April 9.

During this nine-day period, crews will flare natural gas at a site approximately one-half mile northeast of Tonkaway Lake Road, just off William D. Fitch Parkway in Brazos County. Flaring is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. each day and conclude before 5 p.m. No flaring is scheduled for April 3, 4, 5, or 8.

When flaring is underway, motorists driving along Texas 6, Texas 30, William D. Fitch Parkway, and nearby roads could see the flare. Nearby residents may also hear the sound of natural gas flowing through the pipeline during the process.

As part of our commitment to safety, Atmos Energy wants to assure area residents the flare is a normal part of the required inspection and is the safest way to eliminate the natural gas needed to conduct the process. Flaring does not pose a threat to safety or quality of life and the operation will be under the supervision of highly trained senior personnel operating under strict guidelines.

As a precaution, Atmos Energy has notified local emergency officials in Brazos and Grimes counties, as well as school district officials in Bryan and College Station.

COLLEGE STATION, March 31, 2015 — The sixth annual Department of Health & Kinesiology (HLKN) Distinguished Lecture Series, headlined by the next Southeastern Conference (SEC) commissioner, will be April 7-8 at Texas A&M University’s Rudder Theatre.

This year’s theme is Health, Kinesiology, and Sport Management in the SEC. The event will feature leading scholars from each SEC institution as well as Greg Sankey, who in March was named the eighth commissioner of the SEC.

Richard Kreider, professor and HLKN department head, said, “We are excited that Mr. Sankey will be speaking at this year’s DLS because it underscores the commitment that the SEC has in promoting scholarly exchange among faculty and students at SEC institutions.”

Sankey, in his 13th year as a member of the SEC staff, has served as executive associate commissioner and chief operating officer for the league office since 2012. He will succeed Mike Slive who has served as SEC commissioner since 2002 and who announced last October that he will retire effective July 31.

Each year, HLKN invites leaders in the fields of health education, kinesiology, sport management and physical activity to present their research to faculty and current students.

Since 2010, the Distinguished Lecture Series has featured eminent individuals to enrich and interact with Texas A&M students, faculty and staff.

Registration is not required and the lectures are free of charge.

Faculty, students, staff, and visitors to the university are invited to attend or watch the presentations online at http://hlkndls.education.tamu.edu.

The Distinguished Lecture Series is supported by HLKN and the College of Education & Human Development.

For more info, visit http://hlkndls.education.tamu.edu.

]]>http://wtaw.com/2015/03/31/sec-commissioner-select-greg-sankey-speaking-at-texas-am/feed/0CFBV Tribute Luncheonhttp://wtaw.com/2015/03/31/cfbv-tribute-luncheon/
http://wtaw.com/2015/03/31/cfbv-tribute-luncheon/#commentsTue, 31 Mar 2015 11:05:04 +0000http://wtaw.com/?p=94183The Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley honors inspirational leaders within the community who have made significant contributions toward improving the quality of life in the Brazos Valley.

The Foundation’s Tribute Luncheon honors long-time supporters and volunteers from a variety of non-profit community organizations who have contributed their time, talents and financial resources to the betterment of the community.

]]>http://wtaw.com/2015/03/31/cfbv-tribute-luncheon/feed/0Bryan Police Investigating Disturbance at Rudder Highhttp://wtaw.com/2015/03/30/bryan-police-investigating-disturbance-at-rudder-high/
http://wtaw.com/2015/03/30/bryan-police-investigating-disturbance-at-rudder-high/#commentsMon, 30 Mar 2015 21:28:54 +0000http://wtaw.com/?p=94262A Rudder High School sophomore is accused of striking a dozen students, sending two of them to the hospital to be checked out for concussions.

Bryan school officials say the young man has been suspended and will not return to Rudder.

The 16 year old received a medical evaluation after the incident, where he ran from one end of the school to the other making incoherent statements.

Police continue their investigation from the incident that took place last Thursday.

]]>http://wtaw.com/2015/03/30/bryan-police-investigating-disturbance-at-rudder-high/feed/0Texas HHS Commissioner Remains Under Firehttp://wtaw.com/2015/03/30/texas-hhs-commissioner-remains-under-fire/
http://wtaw.com/2015/03/30/texas-hhs-commissioner-remains-under-fire/#commentsMon, 30 Mar 2015 21:26:38 +0000http://wtaw.com/?p=94260AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The head of Texas’ sprawling health agency is giving no indication that he will resign following a scathing report about his leadership in the wake of a state contracting scandal.

Health and Human Services Commissioner Kyle Janek on Monday did not address recommendations in a report ordered by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott that the agency needs “significant” changes in management or leadership.

In a letter to state leaders, Janek instead sounded like someone intent on sticking around to make other reforms proposed in the 92-page report. Abbott ordered the investigation amid heavy fallout from Janek’s agency approving $110 million in no-bid contracts.

Abbott called the report’s findings “unacceptable” but did not indicate whether Janek will stay on the job.

A separate criminal investigation into the no-bid contracts remains ongoing.

Photos of Erica Velez (L) from Brazos County’s Judicial Records Search at: http://justiceweb.co.brazos.tx.us and (R) from College Station police.

News release from College Station police:

On March 17, 2015 at about 1900 hours, College Station Police investigated a report of a robbery stemming from a shoplifting incident at Macy’s in Post Oak Mall. During this incident one of the suspects assaulted a loss prevention officer who was attempting to detain her for authorities. The victim received injuries as a result of this attack and on March 24, 2015 Detectives were able to obtain a warrant for the arrest of the suspect charging her with robbery. She is identified as Erica Mary Velez, H/F 30 years of age, Brenham, TX resident.

Photo of Wendy Babineaux courtesy of College Station police.

College Station Police are seeking assistance in locating the following person wanted for Class A Theft ($500-$1500). She is accused of using her position as a manager at Wal-Mart to make fraudulent returns and stealing cash over a period of time. She is identified as Wendy Sharleen Babineaux, B/F 44 years of age, Bryan, TX resident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the College Station Police Department at 979-764-3600 or Brazos County Crime Stoppers at 979-775-TIPS.

]]>http://wtaw.com/2015/03/30/cs-police-looking-for-two-suspects/feed/0Debate Postponed on Texas Repealing Illegal Immigrant College Tuitionhttp://wtaw.com/2015/03/30/debate-postponed-on-texas-repealing-illegal-immigrant-college-tuition/
http://wtaw.com/2015/03/30/debate-postponed-on-texas-repealing-illegal-immigrant-college-tuition/#commentsMon, 30 Mar 2015 15:59:00 +0000http://wtaw.com/?p=94181AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ A Senate subcommittee has pushed back for a week debate on scraping a law that grants in-state public university tuition to the children of some people in the United States illegally.

Texas Democrats and Hispanic advocacy groups champion the law, while top Republicans have pledged to repeal it.

The two sides were to begin their clash Monday, but a border security hearing was delayed until April 7.

The in-state tuition law sailed through the Legislature in 2001 and received Republican Gov. Rick Perry’s signature. But many Texas GOP leaders were recently elected on promises to get tough on immigration.

Despite vocal opposition, the repeal should eventually clear committee and eventually receive full Senate approval.

Its chances in the House get murkier, though, and debate there could be fiercer.

]]>http://wtaw.com/2015/03/30/debate-postponed-on-texas-repealing-illegal-immigrant-college-tuition/feed/0Wisconsin’s Governor Visits the Texas Border Without Commenting on Immigrationhttp://wtaw.com/2015/03/28/wisconsins-governor-visits-the-texas-border-without-commenting-on-immigration/
http://wtaw.com/2015/03/28/wisconsins-governor-visits-the-texas-border-without-commenting-on-immigration/#commentsSat, 28 Mar 2015 18:00:36 +0000http://wtaw.com/?p=94160WESLACO, Texas (AP) _ Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker left a tour of the U.S.-Mexico border without addressing questions being raised about his stance on immigration.

The likely Republican presidential contender remained invisible to reporters on Friday during a visit that could have given him a chance to spotlight illegal immigration and border security.

Instead, the two-term governor arrived in Texas after reports that he expressed support for giving immigrants a pathway to citizenship during a recent closed-door meeting. Walker aides dispute those accounts and say he opposes what he calls “amnesty.”

The principal who oversaw the opening of Bryan ISD’s Rudder High School has announced he plans to resign next month and accept a position closer to his family and roots in Oklahoma. Hugh Piatt, who lead Rudder’s first freshman class in 2007 (housed at Bryan High), successfully opened the new school’s facilities to students in the Fall of 2008 and has served with dedication and student-centered passion ever since.

“I have loved every minute of my time with students in Bryan ISD,” Piatt said. “Rudder and its students and faculty will always own a large part of my heart, and I look forward to watching this school and our school district continue to enjoy success and achieve great things. From winning and competing in state championships, to the amazing productions in fine arts and earning academic distinctions, Rudder, and Bryan ISD overall, are on the rise. It was an honor to be a part of that.”

Piatt, whose family roots are in Oklahoma, announced he will accept a principal’s position in Pampa, Texas, with the possibility of expanding his area of responsibility in the district’s near future. The move to the north Texas panhandle town cuts down considerably on his long commutes home to see family.

“I look forward to expanding my experience and service in this new position, and I thank Bryan ISD for preparing me well for an exciting future ahead,” Piatt said.

He announced he will step down in mid-April. Upon on his departure, Executive Director of Human Resources and Administration Crystal Goodman will serve in an interim role as Rudder’s principal.

“Hugh Piatt is a man of integrity, decency and heart,” said Superintendent Tommy Wallis. “He has served his students well and built relationships with them and his staff that have served both them, and Rudder as a whole, very well. We will miss him, and we wish him the best in his career ahead.”

]]>http://wtaw.com/2015/03/27/rudder-high-school-principal-is-leaving/feed/0$8.5 Million Going To Feed Texas Seniors, Brazos County Gets Zerohttp://wtaw.com/2015/03/27/8-5-million-going-to-feed-texas-seniors-brazos-county-gets-zero/
http://wtaw.com/2015/03/27/8-5-million-going-to-feed-texas-seniors-brazos-county-gets-zero/#commentsFri, 27 Mar 2015 20:00:29 +0000http://wtaw.com/?p=94119There were no organizations in Brazos County listed in the distribution of state grant money to serve more meals to homebound senior and disabled citizens.

Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller says this is in addition to grant funding to home-delivered meal providers who have served more than 13 million meals around the state.

The grant list includes Washington County Healthy Living receiving $13,668.60 and Leon County Government receiving $6,717.66.

Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced today the Texas Department of Agriculture is awarding approximately $8.5 million to more than 130 agencies across the state that serve meals to homebound elderly and disabled Texans. These grants are part of TDA’s Texans Feeding Texans: Home-Delivered Meal Grant Program, which is funded by the Texas Legislature.

“We must do everything in our power to make sure our seniors and Texans with special needs never go hungry,” Commissioner Miller said. “This funding will help fill the stomachs and hearts of people who need it most. We’re giving them a helping hand, not a handout.”

The Texans Feeding Texans: Home-Delivered Meal Grant Program is a result of House Bill 407, which was passed by the 80th Texas Legislature. The bill allocates extra funding to home-delivered meal providers.

“The home-delivered meal program keeps people out of institutional care and in the comfort of their own homes,” Commissioner Miller said. “This saves taxpayers money. It also provides seniors and those with special needs with the opportunity to live where they are in a secure, happy and healthy environment.”

The grants are based partly on the number of meals eligible applicants served last year. Grants can only be used to supplement and expand existing services related to the delivery of meals. Meals on Wheels and More of Central Texas is one of this year’s grant recipients.

“The Home-Delivered Meal Grant Program makes a critical difference in the lives of tens of thousands of homebound older adults and people with disabilities,” said Dan Pruett, president/CEO of Meals on Wheels and More. “These are folks who live on fixed incomes and might not otherwise have access to nutritious food. Many of the Texans who receive assistance through this program bravely served our nation in the armed forces. Meals on Wheels and More thanks Commissioner Miller for his strong support and helping our agency help those in need.”

Last year, TDA awarded grant funding to home-delivered meal providers who served more than 13 million meals statewide. The Texans Feeding Texans: Home-Delivered Meal Grant Program has provided nearly $73 million to Texas organizations over the past eight years.

]]>http://wtaw.com/2015/03/27/8-5-million-going-to-feed-texas-seniors-brazos-county-gets-zero/feed/0College Station School Board Meeting Recaphttp://wtaw.com/2015/03/27/college-station-school-board-meeting-recap-2/
http://wtaw.com/2015/03/27/college-station-school-board-meeting-recap-2/#commentsFri, 27 Mar 2015 19:14:48 +0000http://wtaw.com/?p=94112This week’s meeting of the College Station school board included three purchases from the bond issue approved by voters in November 2013.

Superintendent Clark Ealy says that includes the district’s new purchasing and warehouse center, which will be built next to the transportation center. The price tag, nearly $7 million dollars, is $510,485 under the project estimate.

The board also approved another $1.3 million dollars from bond money to buy 1,500 desktop computers around the district and furniture at the new Spring Creek elementary.

Dr. Ealy says recent rainfall has put a slight construction delay at Spring Creek, but nothing to prevent CSISD’s ninth elementary from opening as scheduled in August. Most of the work is under the roof and all the concrete has been poured.

The board approved refinancing more than $47 million dollars of existing bond financing, which could result in interest savings to CSISD of $4.5 million.

The board also adopted a resolution supporting Texas A&M’s effort to sponsor a presidential or vice-presidential debate next year.

The board workshop included a review of the first two meetings of the community committee developing recommendations for a bond issue this November.

The workshop also included the first look at the proposed budget for the 2015-16 school years. Dr. Ealy said revenue projections were based on a 4% enrollment increase and a 4% property value increase. Early budget projections show an approximate $3.7 million deficit for the 2015-16 school year, which would be covered by the district’s roughly $30 million fund balance. The board is scheduled to take final action on the budget and tax rate in August.

With 146 people killed in Texas work zone crashes last year – an increase of more than 20 percent from 2013 – the Texas Department of Transportation urges drivers to slow down, pay attention and be extra cautious when driving through work zones and construction areas. TxDOT’s call-to-action, “Drive Safe in Work Zones So We All Get Home,” coincides with National Work Zone Awareness Week, March 23-27.

“People often think work zone crashes result in the deaths of roadside workers, but last year, 87 percent of work zone fatalities were motorists,” said TxDOT Deputy Executive Director John Barton. “Our TxDOT employees and contractors are obviously at risk, but so too are drivers and their passengers. We urge everyone to be careful and responsible in work zones so our roadside workers and passing motorists, alike, can arrive safely at home to their loved ones.”

With approximately 400,000 people moving to Texas each year, the price of progress can mean more than 2,500 active TxDOT work zones at any given time. Last year, 19,393 work zone crashes marked a 12-percent increase over 2013.

The top two factors of work zone crashes are failure to control speed and driver inattention. Traffic fines in work zones double when workers are present and can cost up to $2,000.

Outside of TxDOT work zones, a new law passed last year now makes it mandatory for drivers to move over or slow down when approaching work crews, emergency vehicles or tow trucks stopped on the roadside or shoulder with flashing blue or amber lights.

During National Work Zone Awareness Week, TxDOT’s permanent message signs along state highways and roadways will remind drivers to use caution in work zones.

Photo from the @TxDOTBryan twitter feed with the message “The black chair represents the life that was lost last year in a workzone in the Bryan District. Please drive safe!!”

A College Station woman has been indicted by a Brazos County grand jury on a charge of Medicaid fraud between $1,500 and $20,000 dollars.

51 year old Gretchen Sams is out of jail after posting a $10,000 bond following her arrest on Thursday.

The indictment says she received money for hours she claimed for services four years ago that were not performed.

The specific amount Sams is accused of taking was not revealed.

]]>http://wtaw.com/2015/03/27/college-station-woman-charged-with-medicaid-fraud/feed/0Sole Finalist Named For UT-Austin’s New Presidenthttp://wtaw.com/2015/03/27/sole-finalist-named-for-ut-austins-new-president/
http://wtaw.com/2015/03/27/sole-finalist-named-for-ut-austins-new-president/#commentsFri, 27 Mar 2015 16:27:48 +0000http://wtaw.com/?p=94099News release from the University of Texas System Board of Regents:

The University of Texas System Board of Regents has named Gregory L. Fenves the sole finalist for the presidency of The University of Texas at Austin.

The regents voted to select Fenves at a special board meeting Friday. The decision followed an executive session where regents considered potential candidates and the recommendations of a presidential search advisory committee that reviewed nominations and applications for the position. The regents met earlier this month to interview candidates to succeed William C. Powers as president. Powers will step down in June after serving a nine-year tenure.

Fenves has served as UT Austin’s provost and executive vice president since 2013. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the highest national honor awarded to engineers in the United States. Prior to being named provost, Fenves served for five years as dean of UT Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering. With more than 7,500 students and research expenditures exceeding $160 million a year, the Cockrell School is a top-10 ranked engineering school with nine internationally recognized undergraduate programs and 13 acclaimed graduate degree programs.

Before coming to UT Austin, Fenves, 58, served as chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was on the faculty for more than 20 years. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Cornell and his doctorate at UC Berkeley. He began his career as an assistant professor in civil engineering at UT Austin from 1984-87.

“I want to thank the regents for their careful deliberation on this very important decision,” said UT System Chancellor William H. McRaven. “We had an extremely impressive slate of candidates to consider and I believe we’ve made the right choice for UT Austin, its students, faculty and staff. Greg brings a formidable intellect and charismatic and strategic leadership to the position. UT Austin is one of the finest public research universities in the world and it deserves exceptional leadership, vision and an innovative spirit. I have no doubt that Greg brings all those to the table and I am excited to work with him to continue to support and advance the important work taking place at my alma mater.”

Fenves is an internationally recognized structural engineer whose research is focused on computational simulation of structures during earthquakes and technology for earthquake engineering. He led the development of an open-source software platform in structural and geotechnical engineering that has been widely used in universities and industry across the world.

“I am humbled and tremendously excited to be selected as the sole finalist for president of The University of Texas at Austin,” Fenves said. “UT Austin is unmatched in its potential to educate and inspire leaders. I would be honored to lead this university and work with the Chancellor, Board of Regents and all Longhorns and partners across Texas and the nation.”

During his time as provost, Fenves has overseen much of the administrative progress for the creation of the Dell Medical School. He also launched a “Campus Conversation” intended to redefine the residential college experience in the 21st Century by identifying the essential learning elements of a high quality degree and increasing the role of student discovery and research in undergraduate education.

As dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering, Fenves recruited 57 new engineering faculty, raised more than $300 million for the university’s $3.1 billion Campaign for Texas, and successfully led efforts to build the Cockrell School’s Engineering Education and Research Center—a state-of-the-art facility slated to open in 2017—which will be dedicated to interdisciplinary research and hands-on student projects.

“I am confident that Greg Fenves is the right person to lead UT Austin as we continue to position this great flagship university to be among the best in the world at teaching and research,” said Board Chairman Paul Foster. “Dr. Fenves is a gifted administrator and academician who has had a stellar record of leadership at two of America’s top public research universities. His passion for and dedication to UT Austin were evident in his interview and I am thrilled to begin this new chapter with him at the helm.”

Under state law, university governing boards must name finalists for a presidency at least 21 days before making an appointment. During that time, UT System leaders will be coordinating meetings, giving stakeholders the opportunity to hear from Fenves.

Fenves and his wife Carmel Martinez Fenves live in Austin and have two adult daughters.

Blinn College and Texas A&M University’s Dwight Look College of Engineering are offering students a unique pathway to pursue an engineering degree from Texas A&M.

Beginning this fall, the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Blinn is coming to Blinn College’s Brenham campus, where it will establish a one-of-a-kind living and learning community. Participants in the Engineering Academy at Blinn-Brenham will live together in the Blinn College Park Apartments and will take their math, science and engineering classes together to create a strong academic support network.

Engineering Academy students will take a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester, including two to three credit hours of Texas A&M engineering courses. The Texas A&M courses will be instructed by a Texas A&M professor on the Blinn-Brenham campus.

Only Engineering Academy students will be allowed to enroll in the engineering courses provided on the Brenham campus. These courses were previously reserved only for students admitted to the Look College, therefore Engineering Academy students will start their engineering academic courses at the same time as freshman engineering students at Texas A&M. Academy students have two years to successfully gain admission into an engineering degree granting major within the Dwight Look College of Engineering. Similar to all freshman Engineering students at Texas A&M, admission to a major is competitive and not guaranteed. However, Academy students who complete all program requirements with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 will be guaranteed full admission to Texas A&M.

Engineering Academy students will have access to Look College advisors who are dedicated to the program and who will assist them in exploring all their options for full admission into a major that aligns with their academic and career goals

Students who participate in the program and take 15 credit hours will save approximately $1,500 each semester compared to a student taking all 15 credit hours at Texas A&M. Additionally, Blinn offers a variety of scholarships, including the Texas – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (T-STEM) Challenge Scholarship for students from a Texas high school who graduated with a minimum 3.0 grade point average.

First-time and continuing college students who are pre-calculus or calculus ready are eligible to apply for the Engineering Academy at Blinn-Brenham via the ApplyTexas application.

The Engineering Academy at Blinn-Brenham continues to build upon the partnership between the Look College and Blinn. Modeled after the Texas A&M Blinn TEAM (Transfer Enrollment at A&M) co-enrollment partnership, the Engineering Academy began as the TEAM-E pilot program in 2013. After beginning with more than 100 participants, the Engineering Academy now includes over 200 students on the Bryan campus. The Academy will expand to approximately 500 total students in 2015-16, including approximately 100 on the Blinn-Brenham campus.

Blinn is an affiliate partner of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), and is partnering with Look College to establish a co-aligned Associate of Science degree that will allow Blinn engineering students to seamlessly transfer credit hours into the college of engineering.

For more information about the Engineering Academy at Blinn-Brenham, including frequently asked questions and admissions processes, visit: www.blinn.edu/teab.

]]>http://wtaw.com/2015/03/27/new-blinn-brenham-partnership-with-texas-am/feed/0College Station City Council Moves Forward With Veterans Park Expansionhttp://wtaw.com/2015/03/26/college-station-city-council-moves-forward-with-veterans-park-expansion/
http://wtaw.com/2015/03/26/college-station-city-council-moves-forward-with-veterans-park-expansion/#commentsFri, 27 Mar 2015 00:35:05 +0000http://wtaw.com/?p=94085The College Station city council is taking the next step towards a $14 million dollar expansion of Veterans Park.

Thursday’s unanimous vote calls for hiring a design firm to have what city manager Kelly Templin called a “shovel-ready” project that would fill the city’s remaining park property.

The expansion calls for four full-size and multiple use synthetic turf athletic fields, 750 more parking spaces, playgrounds, and splash pads.

The addition, which will be located on the University Drive side of the park, will include a championship field with permanent seating for about 1,700 and room to add portable bleachers and berms to expand capacity to about 2,850. Adjacent to the championship field will be restrooms, locker rooms, storage, and a press box.

The vote allows the city to hire an engineering firm to design the project, which will be funded by the city’s hotel occupancy tax (HOT).

Templin stressed HOT funds can be used only for projects that enhance and promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry. This qualifies under one of nine categories allowed by state law.